Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Welcoming Kamal Mukherjee!
I welcome Kamal Mukherjee to the IITK89 blog! Kamal is a very respected member of 89 batch and has been a public servant par excellence, having been a member of Indian Forest Service (IFS) in the past. Kamal is also admired by his classmates for the wit and humor he brings to the group. We look forward to some powerful blog entries by Kamal on topics ranging from deforestation to politics to accountability in the government machinery!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Welcoming Dr. Balwant SIngh Lall (Billy)
I welcome Balwant Singh Lall ( Billy) as a new blogger on IITK 89 site. Billy, as we fondly call him, is known for his potent punch-lines amongst the class mates, a natural leader with a talent for thought provoking write-ups! Welcome Billy!!!!
Rules and Sportsmanship
“Rules should be followed but not overdone’ – this quote is attributed to Raja Ramanna, one of India’s former chief of Atomic Energy Commission. Thanks to my dad, who used to often use this quote, this has been one of a lifetime guideline / reference to me and often a fall back option for arguing sense when sensing bureaucracy at work.
Through this blog post, I like to touch upon two current happenings in the world of sports. The first one relates to Indian Cricket & the other to the world of Formula 1 racing.
As widely reported in the media, members of Indian cricket team have reservations regarding signing a clause related to whereabouts declaration in the proposed WADA agreement that deals with anti-doping. I really do not understand the reasons as to why they should have an objection when sportsmen from other sports not only in India but globally have been signatories to similar agreements. This includes champions like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods etc. While it is understandable that privacy and security are concern areas, is'nt that the same for sportsmen from other sports and also cricketers from other nations. What is the big issue in letting oneself being subject to random off season dope tests ? After all, its only a very low % of the sports people who perhaps actually get subjected to these random tests. Well, it can be argued that it is near impossible for them to declare in advance their precise whereabouts, but is it that difficult to make a declaration at a lesser granular level. The question is whether rules should be bent to accommodate Indian cricketers.
Another news making headlines is the return of the great man - Michael Schumacher - to Ferrari F1 team as a replacement for Felipe Massa. Obviously, this is great news for the sport, for TRPs, for Ferrari & fans like yours truly. A read through Schumi's official website reveals lots of interesting things about this champion. One of the things that comes out is supreme adaptability to conditions. This is something which he continues to display even now and the same is evident from a no-fuss no-reaction ( so far) to William's & Red Bull team managements objections to let the great man some test practice on the circuit before his second debut. While most competitors of Ferrari were OK allowing Schumi a test drive on the circuit ( though it is banned this year), Williams & Red Bull deny the great man a chance, something that could have allowed their latitude to be labelled as act of good sportsmanship.
For a sport that has lost its sheen, was a test practice request too much of an ask. Don't we have rules at work but sometimes relationships help bypass some of the rigidity for larger organizational good. Even in competitive sport, some sportsman spirit is fine in the game, despite minor deviation from the rule book.
Well, my take - even with rules as a roadblock, the big man will still make a significant impact. Go Schumi ! Go.
Indian cricket team - Sorry guys - Love it when you guys do well, but no special empathy for you on the WADA matter.
Through this blog post, I like to touch upon two current happenings in the world of sports. The first one relates to Indian Cricket & the other to the world of Formula 1 racing.
As widely reported in the media, members of Indian cricket team have reservations regarding signing a clause related to whereabouts declaration in the proposed WADA agreement that deals with anti-doping. I really do not understand the reasons as to why they should have an objection when sportsmen from other sports not only in India but globally have been signatories to similar agreements. This includes champions like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods etc. While it is understandable that privacy and security are concern areas, is'nt that the same for sportsmen from other sports and also cricketers from other nations. What is the big issue in letting oneself being subject to random off season dope tests ? After all, its only a very low % of the sports people who perhaps actually get subjected to these random tests. Well, it can be argued that it is near impossible for them to declare in advance their precise whereabouts, but is it that difficult to make a declaration at a lesser granular level. The question is whether rules should be bent to accommodate Indian cricketers.
Another news making headlines is the return of the great man - Michael Schumacher - to Ferrari F1 team as a replacement for Felipe Massa. Obviously, this is great news for the sport, for TRPs, for Ferrari & fans like yours truly. A read through Schumi's official website reveals lots of interesting things about this champion. One of the things that comes out is supreme adaptability to conditions. This is something which he continues to display even now and the same is evident from a no-fuss no-reaction ( so far) to William's & Red Bull team managements objections to let the great man some test practice on the circuit before his second debut. While most competitors of Ferrari were OK allowing Schumi a test drive on the circuit ( though it is banned this year), Williams & Red Bull deny the great man a chance, something that could have allowed their latitude to be labelled as act of good sportsmanship.
For a sport that has lost its sheen, was a test practice request too much of an ask. Don't we have rules at work but sometimes relationships help bypass some of the rigidity for larger organizational good. Even in competitive sport, some sportsman spirit is fine in the game, despite minor deviation from the rule book.
Well, my take - even with rules as a roadblock, the big man will still make a significant impact. Go Schumi ! Go.
Indian cricket team - Sorry guys - Love it when you guys do well, but no special empathy for you on the WADA matter.
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